ISBN: - 978-93-88936-09-5 Among the Kalkulam taluk, 46 per cent (65) are using smoke house, 26 per cent (37) are used sun drying, 20 per cent (28) are used partial sun drying and least, 7 per cent (10) are used kitchen drying for rubber sheets. Among the Vilavancode taluk, 48 per cent (54) are using smoke house, 27 per cent (30) are using sun drying, 16 per cent (18) are using partial sun drying and least, 7 per cent (8) are used kitchen drying for rubber sheets. Among the Thovalai taluk, 42 per cent (21) are using smoke house, 20 per cent (10) are used sun drying, 14 per cent (7) are used partial sun drying and 24 per cent (12) are used kitchen drying for rubber sheets. Distribution of sample respondent for tapping the Rubber Trees Latex is obtained from the bark of the tree by tapping. Tapping is a process of controlled wounding during which thin savings of bark are removed. The aim of tapping is to cut open the latex vessels of rubber trees tapped for the first time or remove the coagulum. The following table explains the tapping of rubber trees. Table 3.20 Tapping by the Rubber Trees Tapping Taluk Kalkulam Vilavancode Thovalai Total Yourself 10 (7.1) 10 (9.1) 10 (20) 30 (9.9) Tappers 75 (53.6) 55 (50) 15 (30) 145 (48.2) Family members 25 (17.9) 20 (18.2) 14 (28) 59 (19.6) All 30 (21.4) 25 (22.7) 11 (22) 66 (21.9) Total 140 (100) 110 (100) 50 (100) 300 (100) Source: Computed from Primary data Note: Figures in parentheses indicate the percentage to total The above table examine that the 48 per cent (145) are tapping the trees by tappers, 22 per cent (66) are tapping trees by all, 20 per cent (59) are tapping the trees by their family members and 10 per cent are tapping the trees by him/her. Among the Kalkulam taluk 53.6 per cent (75) are tapping the trees by tappers, 21.4 per cent (30) are tapping the trees by all, 17.9 per cent (25) are tapping the trees by their family members and 7.1 per cent (10) are tapping the trees by him/her. Among the Vilavancode taluk 50 per cent (55) are tapping the trees by tappers, 22.7 per cent (25) are tapping the trees by all, 18.2 per cent (20) are tapping the trees by their family members and 9.1 per cent (10) are tapping the trees by him/her. Among the Thovalai taluk 30 per cent (15) are tapping the trees by tappers, 28 per cent (14) are tapping the trees by all, 22 per cent 94
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